According to a report on the Daily News' Web site, Beltran won't require surgery, which was originally feared earlier today, and Dr. Steadman recommended that he rest the knee until after the All Star break.

The Mets could certainly use Beltran's bat back in its injury-depleted lineup. Gary Sheffield and David Wright are the only regulars -- and with Sheffield that distinction is a stretch -- with an average over .290 and they've been outscored by teams 37-29 since Beltran went on the DL on June 22. They've dropped five of their last eight games without Beltran, including last night's contest, and have fallen under .500 for the first time since May 5.